Street roots
Aug. 15, 2014
7
ÙJkaUfd
Drivers’ card debate revs up for fall ballot
BY ALEX ZIELINSKI
confusing, and doesn’t reflect the real
issue.”
ayra Martinez is never certain that
Miller said the measure title, “provides
she’ll get to class on time, if at all.
Oregon resident “driver card” without
Martinez, a 20-year-old Portland
requiring proof of legal presence in the
State University student, lives on a rural
United States,” makes it seem too much like
farm near Beaverton with her family, five
an illegal immigration issue. When, in fact,
miles from a TriMet bus stop.
she and other advocates believe it’s more a
Uncomfortable biking orwalking on the
safety issue than anything.
narrow road, Martinez depends on her
“Bottom line, it’s about making sure the
mother—the only one in the household with
other drivers on the road know driving laws
a driver’s license - to drop her off at the
and are insured,” Miller said. “We want all 1
nearest MAX station on the way to her work Oregon drivers to feel safe.”
if she has time. But soon, this already
While undocumented Latino immigrants
capricious situation may not be an option.
make up a larger portion of those affected,
Martinez’s mother, who, like Martinez
other groups with missing U.S. birth
and the rest of her family,» is an
certificates — homeless populations, former
undocumented immigrant, has a license
foster children, seniors, other
issued prior to Oregon’s current driver’s
undocumented ethnicities - will also take a
license laws that require a valid U.S. birth
hit if the measure doesn’t pass.
certificate in registering for a card. Later
Oregon Voice, a local community
this year, it will expiré; along with nearly 8
organizing nonprofit focused on
thousand other Oregonians’.
underrepresented social groups, supports
“After that, I don’t know how I’m going to Measure 88 due to the impact it could have
get to school, or even to the grocery store,” L on veteran and homeless populations.
Martinez said. “I don’t want to drive
“This would mean people living out of
illegally, but if there’s an emergency, it’s our their car could legally move their home,”
only option.”
says Iris Hodge, Oregon Voice’s Health and
However, a measure on November’s ballot Civic Engagement Coordinator. “The
could ease Martinez’s worries. The newly
homeless community already has so many
numbered Measure 88 aims to grant drivers pressing issues to deal with. If this measure
cards to Oregon residents without U.S. birth could help keep them out of more trouble,
certificates, allowing them to operate a
I’m for i t ” But, Hodge adds, “Cost could
vehicle after passing a regular DMV driver’s
definitly be an issue.”
te s t While Gov. John Kitzhaber signed tins
“At least ohe in eight Asian Pacific
idea into law last year during a jubilant May
Islanders in Oregon are undocumented,”
Day festival, opponents of the card collected said Paulo Esteban, a field organizer for the
enough signatures to file a referendum in
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
October - putting the card’s future in the
(APANO). “And so many of our families
hands of Oregon voters.
can’t truly thrive without reliable
Ten other states have successfully passed
transportation.”
similar bills over the recent years, but
B ut, E steb an adds, safety rem ain s a key
Oregon will be the first state to bring the
issu e in APAN Q ’s j o in t cam paign w ith
? ”
,
issue to the ballot, With the campaigns just "‘CAU SA ?
ojut oí the gate, advocates and opponents
“Whichever side of the ballot you’re on,
are making sure this election won’t go
it’s important to note that we all share the
road? he said, “And I don’t want to risk
unnoticed.
“Our biggest challenge is making sure the getting in an accident with an uninsured
voters know what this measurereally is
d riv er?;> k z9..., ,
' '
However, this is the leading problem
about,” said Andrea Miller, director of ,
Measure 88’s challengers have with their
CAUSA, the Latino advocacy nonprofit
opponent’s campaign., . —
, . '
behind Measure 88’s support 'team —
'“Our opponents have made tìtós a safety. ; i
campaign now backed b ^th e
■ z ? issu e ,M tit^ '|^ ta 're d ;h e íT h )g ? s^ d ;
I
Club and Portland Chief o f Police
Reese. “The ballot title is extremely
STAFF W R ITER
M
ill— i
B ill
■
SB
l i li l í
for Immigration Reform (OFIR), the group
responsible for the October referendum.
“This is letting illegal aliens circumvent
state laws to move around the country. This
is contrary to what our lawmakers should be
doing.”
Protect Oregon
Driver’s Licenses — a
"Bottew Mae, it’s ilw a t
spinoff political action
snahlng sure the ether
committee of OFIR -
drivers on the read know
is leading the opposing
dsw lng laws and are
campaign with backing
insured.
We want a ll Oregon
from a handful of
drivers
to
feel sale."
Oregon representatives
akprea miller
and a heap of funding
D IR F Ç TO R ; C A U S A
from Nevada
conservative Loren
Parks — one of the largest individual donors
in Oregon politics.
“Giving a driver’s card to someone who’s
here illegally Will only increase Oregon’s
illegal alien population,” said PODL
spokesman Jim Ludwick. “(Illegal
immigrants) have no respect for our laws in
the first place — what makes us think they’!!
follow this one?”
Oregon historically didn’t require
residents to show a Social Security number
or birth certificate when applying for a
driver’s license. But after the 9/11 attacks
sparked a federal crackdown on licensing
requirements, former goverbir Ted
Kulongoski followed suit, making Social
Security cards mandatory for every driver.
Ludwick said that Gov. Kitzhaber’s
signing of the 2013 bill is blatantly against
thé federal government’s wishes.
“You can’t ju s t pick an d ch o o se th e law s
you want to follow,* he Said. “Is it goingW
take another terrorist attack to make us
CAUSA’s Miller said she expects a fight
to the ballot box - and it may be ugly.
But a battie> the last thing on Martinez’s,
mind; She’d just like a safe way to get t§ '
school.
, “I’ve read the driverismanual, I’ve tak e^ ; H
IBI®!
practice tests, I’m ready to go.” she said,
one hurdle left?
1 ;
jg
■
■
«X
■
h
p iif
PAID TRAINING
NORTHW EST
Beyond Limitations’"
REQUIREMENTS:
FOR PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES!
S312 NE 148th Ave,
Portanti, OR 97230
Sisters Of The Road
non-profit cafe in Old Town
“Being at Sisters has kept me remembering who I am, that I am a human being who can
love people and do good things. There are good attitudes, open arms welcoming me, and I
never leave without a smile.” — Sisters friend and customer
'
•? ,..
,,
IlFCOHINGfVENTS:
✓ Pass a drug test
✓ Must be at least 18
✓ Must be able to provide
documentation of a disability
✓ Fluency in English
✓ Clean background check
QUESTIONS?
Please call (503) 261-1266
or (800)874-7917
email: dcherry@phcnw.com
< ? ;C
<?
4-13 - CLOSED for new PC floor!
Aug. 23 Wolf from the Door Benefit
Aug. 27 - Kid’s Day!
- j
Aug. 29 - Volunteer Appreciation BBQ!
Sept. I thru 30 Dining with Dignity!
All are welcome!
M onday * Friday 10am ~2:30pm
*
*?
133 NW Sixth Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503 222 $694
www.sistersoftheroad.org